<BR>If you love the great outdoors, rugged mountains, scenic coastal areas, breathtaking waterfalls and lakes, animals, photo ops galore, hiking/skiing etc., nature at it's best - then NZ is for you. This was our first trip there, just two short weeks, and not enough time to see and do everything, just whet our appetites for a future trip possibly. We were on both islands for some specific events with a group of l2 other friends. and then crammed as much sightseeing as we could in between. Lot's of delightful surprises: it was spring time so I knew there'd be lots of flowers but was unprepared for all the tropical trees and foliage - very Polynesian, more than I expected, very impressive, neatly manicured lawns with gorgeous flowers and plants. And picture the postcards you see with literally thousands of sheep, grazing peacefully with snow-capped mountains in the background, and beautfiful calla lillies growing like weeds in their pastures! It was just after lambing season so we saw hundreds and hundreds of baby lambs. It boggles your mind - miles and miles of sheep and dairy cattle grazing, some elk (or deer, don't remember which) too which are farmed, in such pristine beauty, and I swear I never saw any sheep dung or cow pies. This is a cleaner, greener country than even Switzerland! Also no barns or shelter for the most part - the weather is generally so mild that the animals are only brought in for shearing or milking. <BR>The Kiwi's without fail were friendly, helpful, courteous. Tipping waiters is unheard of, had to force money on some of them sometimes! Can't say language wasn't a problem tho - the first day at the airport I kept hearing about the "mistic building" - wondered what they were talking about, thought it was a terminal building named Mistic Building. Stupid me - it was the DOMESTIC terminal they meant! The exchange rate was very favorable - about $l.00 US to $l.89 NZ in some places. some places charged a small commission to change travelers checks - the AX office on Queen street in Auckland will exchange any kind of travelers checks for no fee. Most credit cards taken everywhere. Wonderful bargains on beautiful hand made sweaters and woolen items, and really nice fleece clothing. <BR>I coulda and shoulda bought more!! The following hotels we stayed at ALL had hair dryers/irons/ironing boards in the rooms, and laundry facilities on the property which every one made use of: In Auckland first day, Hotel Grand Chancellor (close to airport); The Armitage Hotel in Tauranga (had 3 days here for business), walking distance to town/waterfront; In Queenstown the Quality Resort Terraces (3 days here too, each couple had a two bedroom townhouse with two decks, great view!); Franz Joseph at the Franz Joseph Hotel (very Alpine AND Polynesian!); in Christchurch at the Copthorne Central Hotel; and last day back in Auckland at the Auckland Park Regency (not only had all the above amenities but a mini kitchen with a washer/dryer!) Four of us also had to spend couple days in Timaru, were not happy with the motel (only time this happened) and took quite a while to find another since it was a holiday weekend, ended up further south in Oamaru. Beautiful coast line in this area, penquin colony, lots to see. <BR>My favorite attractions: loved Queenstown, some of us women went horseback riding while the guys did the jet boats and luge. Fiordland Natl. Park is beautiful, we took a cruise on Milford Sound out to the Tasman Sea - incredible. So many waterfalls, so much like Norway! Saw dolphins and seals. Took the l9l2 vintage lake steamer TSS Earnslaw across Lake Wakatipu for a lovely buffet dinner, and a sheep show (shearing and dog demonstration). Touristy but who cares - I loved it. Speaking of which - <BR>In Rotorua, we visited the Agrodome, really a great sheep show complete with the dogs. Did you know there are l9 kinds of sheep in NZ?? Also loved Christchurch, Auckland, tried to see as much as possible of the cities. Once you get out of the "big" city, you find nothing really higher than two story buildings with architecture kind of like our old west with other themes thrown in- saw homes that reminded me of what I saw in Norway too, white houses with alcoves, and black tiled roofs. When I asked about the abundancy of two stories, was told it's because NZ is on the same earthquake fault that Japan is and they just don't build taller buildings. Back to the sights - the drive from Queenstown up to Franz Josef Glacier is wonderful, the Glacier and surrounding area is magnificent, the coast line up to Greymouth and all the pastures and sheep stations and lakes and mountains are breathtaking. We took the Trans Alpine train for another scenic tour thru the So. Alps to Christchurch. The train had a car in the back that was open on both sides (covered tho) and you could stand and watch the world go by with the wind in your hair. <BR>We were in Auckland when they were starting the America's Cup races, so we toured the Village. Took a harbor tour, toured the Devenport area across the harbor, a quaint little community with incredible views, wonderful Victorian houses with all the filigree, and flowering gardens. <BR>When we first arrived in Tauranga for our events, our hosts arranged for a traditional Maori (pronounced marry) greeting for us, complete with nose-rubbings. This was just an indication of the warm hospitality extended to us along our way. NZ really is a wonderful place and worth your time. If you have any questions, I'd be happy to help if I can (there was LOTS we didn't get to tho - Wellington, Dunedin, Invercargill to name a few). <BR>

Cheryl: <BR>Will be visiting Australia and New Zealand from November 6 thru 25. Loved your report. Will be visiting the same places you did in NZ. Thanks for the many tips. We can't wait. <BR> John and Kay Schang <BR>

<BR>John and Kay: You'll have a great trip. I've been to Australia too and loved that. I think it should be late spring or early/mid summer for you, and hot, especially in Australia. We were there in Oct. a few years ago, and very hot. <BR>Re packing/clothing: pack light because you WILL buy stuff. We'd been following the weather on the net a few weeks before our trip; always indicating overcast/chilly/showers so we packed accordingly. But it only rained a couple times and we really had lovely weather. I never wore the rain boots I'd brought "just in case", but also never wore the bermuda shorts I'd brought too since we'd heard it could be warm. I brought a dress, but really didn't need that either. NZ is very casual, and I'd brought jeans/sneakers to wear because I knew we'd be horseback riding somewhere, and actually, could have worn them most places. There was a flu bug going around, and half our group of l4 got it, hacking and coughing for several days, and every time we stopped somewhere, they'd run off to the closest chemist where you can get stuff over the counter that we can't here. I never got sick, thankfully! <BR>We stopped at wonderful fresh produce stands along the roads - great fruits. Lots of greenstone (jade), hand made wooden souveniers, etc. available. <BR>By the way (you probably already know) no visa necessary for NZ, but do need one for Australia. The only thing negative I can think of to say is that it's just too dang long to get there!! Hope to read about your trip when you return. <BR>Saw rare white herons. <BR>

Hey Cheryl - great to hear you had enjoyed my beautiful country! Great report - you'll have to come back one day. Just one quick note - the pronounciation of maori you described (marry) is actually the bad pronounciation of most New Zealanders (including maoris!). The maori vowels are actually prounced as follows: <BR>a = ah <BR>e = as in deck <BR>i = e as in meat <BR>o = as in hook <BR>u = oo as in tooth <BR>Therefore, when the vowels in maori are run together, it comes out sounding a little bit like "mouldy", except with with a rolled r instead of a d. Hope this helps a little. Yes - we do have a shocking way with some of our pronounciations!

<BR>G'Day Sal! thanks, I knew "marry" wasn't exactly correct, but it was the closest I could think of. I think most Americans want to say "maowry" or "mayory" or "maaorii". <BR>Anyway, you are fortunate to live in such a beautiful country with such a rich heritage.

We are trying to plan a trip to Oz and Nz next fall. Am having difficulty with NZ south island trying to figure out if we should base ourselves in one city such as Queenstown and take one day tours or drive around or do we need to split our base? Any help would be greatly appreciated. In addition, are there one day tours? What are the absolute must sees? How much time will they take? I went to buy a book but most were published in 1996 and 1997, they must be waiting for the Olympics in 2000 in Oz before updating. Thanks again.

In the South Island, I would definitely not base yourself in 1 place. The driving distances are too much for day trips. One day tours are available from Queenstown though. For example to Milford Sound, including a short cruise, driving there and flying back (or driving both ways, although flying is much more spectacular). I did this with my English fiance when I was last in NZ. We drove a loop, down the East Coast, up the West Coast. We spent nights time in the Abel Tasman National Park, Franz Josef for the Glaciers, Queenstown, with above mentioned tour, then to Christchurch, then to Kaikoura (for the whale watch and swimming with the dolphins). I would say must sees/dos are: <BR>Milford Sound <BR>At least one hike/walk <BR>Queenstown/Te Anau/Arrowtown <BR>Drive between Christchurch and Queenstown past Lake Tekapo, Mt Cook, etc <BR>Christchurch is a very charming city (I am a NZer from North Island, but have spent a lot of time with tourists - they all claim it to be very favourite City) <BR>West Coast - rugged, rugged coastline with seals and dolphins <BR>Abel Tasman National Park <BR>Kaikoura for whale watching and also a good base to sample some of NZ's award winning wine. There are plenty of recent guidebooks - just go for the non name brand ones if necessary. Go to the library for an older one if you don't want to buy one. NZ is very internet booking minded, so do look at that. Consider staying in cabins in camp grounds, for a more budget, less luxurious but more authentic NZ experience. Feel free to e-mail for specific help about my beautiful country. <BR>

<BR>Mary Ann, as Jo says the driving times are much too far to just do day trips from one town. Plus the roads are mostly just one lane each way, lots of curves, thru hills, and very scenic - you'll want to stop along the way. On the south Island, I think I'd recommend Queenstown and Christchurch for your bases. Searching on the net is a good idea - I have a friend near Auckland who told us that NZ has the highest percentage of net and email users in the world.

<BR>Mary Ann, as Jo says the driving times are much too far to just do day trips from one town. Plus the roads are mostly just one lane each way, lots of curves, thru hills, and very scenic - you'll want to stop along the way. On the south Island, I think I'd recommend Queenstown and Christchurch for your bases. Searching on the net is a good idea - I have a friend near Auckland who told us that NZ has the highest percentage of net and email users in the world.

Jo and Cheryl: Thank you for the information. I have since done resarch on the web. You are right, there are a multitude of web sites. Do you know how long the drive is between Christchurch and Queenstown? I am use to doing Europe where there is a terrific website that will calculate a route with exits and mileage/kilos. It sounds like Queenstown will be our main stop. I would also like the whalewatching, possibly as a day trip out of Q or C. Thanks again for your assistance and I may be checking back as questions arise.